Conspiracies launched Trump’s political career – now they may be his undoing

Political Analysis - The report suggests that Donald Trump cultivated and exploited conspiracy theories and their followers for political gain, starting with the "birtherism" lie about Barack Obama [1][2] - The analysis points out that Trump's reliance on conspiracy theorists is now backfiring, particularly concerning the Epstein files, leading to disillusionment among his base [4][5] - The report highlights a shift in sentiment among right-leaning influencers and a decline in approval ratings among Republicans regarding Trump's handling of the Epstein files, with only 38% of Republicans approving and 43% of MAGA Republicans approving [9][12] - The analysis indicates that Trump's attempts to deflect and create new conspiracies are failing, as the Epstein story transcends political lines and exposes concerns about power and protection within the system [7][8][9] Media and Public Opinion - Joe Rogan, a prominent podcaster, accuses the Trump camp of gaslighting the public regarding the Epstein scandal [9][10] - A Yahoo Yuggov poll indicates that 67% of Americans believe the government is hiding information about Epstein's death [12] White House Response - The report notes that the White House is in crisis mode, attempting to deflect attention through various means, including praising Trump's (alleged) peace-brokering efforts [16][17][18] - The analysis suggests that the White House's desperation reveals a cover-up, as Trump's base perceives him as protecting himself rather than fighting for them [20][21]